The Theory of Go

The book, The Theory of Go, written by Tony Yang? and Han Han published in 2024 teaches readers core knowledge regarding Go theory within 7 condensed lessons. From years of professional experience competing and teaching, this book presents seven essential lessons on Go theory that every player should know, alongside carefully chosen examples from professional games. From this book, readers will uncover the key principles that shape strategic thinking in Go and master how to choose their very next move.

The Theory of Go is current available for purchase on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Go-Tony-Yang/dp/B0DRBGQ2ZD) and GoBooks ( https://gobooks.com/).

Reviews

shinuito: It looks like a nice idea for a book, I’ve started reading the kindle version. Very reasonably priced.

Counting_Zenist: I am used to either very think Go textbooks where we have to photocopy pages just for handouts, or thin but multi-volume Go textbooks designed as teaching materials. And from my impression of the samples, I don’t think it is written as a textbook (for teaching), but more like after-class extra reading materials. I am actually grateful that I saw a Go book try to bring the subjects for Go history in a casual way. Most are either very technical with no levity, or very serious in telling history chronologically. Usually, we have to splice in stories/histories and resume the serious teaching materials just for the limited time in class. However, I feel as a book, it has the leeway to tell more and make traditionally dry content more comprehensible (which is not always necessary, but I feel stories and histories do help students to build their own frameworks and understandings).

TritonBaduk? (5D): I really like the content, it is basically what I try to teach, but some of the diagrams seem a little awkward and I wish they fleshed out some areas more. Overall if you have not seen this type of information before it is likely pretty useful. The goal seems to be to teach you how to properly think about your moves before you play them. This is not a book to learn to play the opening or middle game or any topic like that, more so in general how to pick your moves at any point in the game. Since I have thought about this quite a bit I will likely be a little more critical in my review, but I would be interested to see what other people say about it. Oh and it should be good for any rank honestly. The difficulty is understanding the diagrams and not the information itself. My main criticism for the book is that it feels a bit more like an outline vs a final product. Link to YouTube book review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1szBrNV1q4

Table of Contents

PREFACE 1

 ➹ LESSON 1   THE ART OF THINKING

 ➹ LESSON 2   STRONG AND WEAK STONES

 ➹ LESSON 3   JUDGING STRENGTH

 ➹ LESSON 4   GRASPING DIRECTION

 ➹ LESSON 5   READING	57

 ➹ LESSON 6   THE ESSENCE OF SHAPE

 ➹ LESSON 7   JUDGEMENT